Huddle House on Park West Drive closes doors

In the final week of April, Becky Rogers-Peck, owner of a Grovetown Huddle House restaurant, informed her customers via a letter posted on the doors of her business, that her restaurant was about to shut its doors for the final time.

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At 10 p.m. April 30, the 24-hour, seven-days-a-week eatery closed shop after 15 years.

For Rogers-Peck, who owns both the property and building on Park West Drive near Interstate 20, exiting her business is bittersweet.

"My customers know how I feel about this. I really didn't want to leave, but I had no choice," said Rogers-Peck.

She said her decision not to sign up for another five-year franchise agreement hinged on the fact that corporate Huddle House officers were asking for facility renovations and updates that could cost $100,000 to $150,000.

Some of those updates would include facade renovations along with internal updates, including the cash-register system.

In reacting to Rogers-Peck's decision to leave the corporation after 15 years, Claudia Levitas, of Huddle House's corporate Atlanta headquarters, said she was saddened to learn of the decision.

"There's nothing negative about her departure. She ran a tight, clean operation and we wish her nothing but the best," said Levitas, senior vice president of the Huddle House legal department.

Rogers-Peck, a Burke County native and a self-described farm girl, said she still owns two other Huddle House franchises -- another in Grovetown and one in Wrens.

"This is sad. Believe me, I've cried over this decision," she said.

Although she does not have a college degree, Rogers-Peck said she never let her academic shortfall hinder her success.

"I've always been a hard worker and I figured I could be successful after purchasing this franchise," said the 51-year-old grandmother.

Levitas said her corporation has certain standards to uphold, but Rogers-Peck did nothing to hamper her ability to keep the store.

"She maintained a reputable store. Her sales were not at the top, but they were solid," the Huddle House official said.